Analyzing microstructural, residual stress, and mechanical characteristics in dissimilar welds of Inconel 59 and AISI 904L through double-pulsed gas metal arc welding

Abstract

In this research, dissimilar welding of the nickel-based superalloy Inconel 59 and austenitic stainless steel AISI 904L steel was successfully done with double-pulsed gas metal arc welding (DP-GMAW) using the filler ERNiCrMo-13. Macroscopic analysis showed a defect-free weld with an aspect ratio of 2.4, attributed to the efficient heat delivery (0.642 kJ/mm) in DP-GMAW. The microstructure of the weld joint was examined through both optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Examination of the microstructure of the weld interface exposed grain coarsening near the heat-affected zone on the AISI 904L side. In contrast, the weld fusion zone contained fine equiaxed dendrites. Microsegregation and alloying element migration across the entire weld area were assessed through energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy point analysis and line mapping, revealing controlled microsegregation across the region. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to ascertain the average grain size (38.41 nm) and secondary phase composition. The XRD-cosα method was used to assess the residual stress of the weld joint, revealing tensile residual stress in the weld zone and compressive residual stress in other regions. Tensile, Charpy impact, and Vickers hardness tests were conducted in the study to evaluate the strength, toughness, and hardness of a dissimilar weld. The impact of two cryogenic treatments, namely shallow and deep, on tensile and toughness characteristics was investigated in this study. The cryogenic treatments significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of weld samples compared to their as-welded condition, leading to an 11.5% increase in tensile strength and a 10% improvement in toughness.